RICHARD STORRS WILLIS. 



PEN AND LUTE. 



DEC 29 1882 (1 



DETROIT, 

Thorndike Nourse, Pubusher. 
1883. 



-fo^^^'\ 



\l^'t'^ 



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PEN AND LUTE. 

POEMS ATTUNED TO MUSIC. AND IX PART WEDDED THERETO. 

LOVINGLY DEDICATED 

TO THE MUSIC OF ART AS OF NATURE. 

BY A 

FRIEXD AND ADMIIiER. 



7^ 



Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by 

RICHARD STOERS WILLIS, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington', D. 0. 



CONTENTS 



PART I. 
CAPRICES OF COLLEGE DAYS. 

PAGE. 

Hazing, 9 

To Somebody, 30 

My Cottage Love 32 

That Northeaster 34 

PART II. 

MINNE-SONGS OF STUDEKT LIFE IN GERMANY. 

Spring Ramble in the "Vale op Roses," 39 

Premonition, 41 

Music Dream, 43 

Poet and Lute, 44 

In Her Boudoir, 46 

The Mitten 48 

Bachelor Heresils, 50 

Nannerl, 52 

Earthly Loves, 55 

Maiden Moods, 5" 

Song Without 'Words, 58 

Her Bliss and Woe, 60 

At Bay, 62 

Sleep, the Kind Angel, 63 

The Minstrel's Love 64 

PART HI. 

REFRAINS IN THE MINOR. 

The Valley Water-Jet, 67 

Unnested, 69 

By Moonlight, 70 

November, 72 

Snow on Her Grave, 73 

Jessamine's Shoe, 75 

Not Far, 77 

Evening Hush, 78 

Morn on the Hills, 80 

Meadow Story to a Friend, 82 



PART IV. 
I<YKICt> OF TIIK GREAT STRUGGLE. 

PAGE. 

Anthem of Liberty, 87 

Checked 89 

Achieved 91 

BiTRiAL OF Lincoln 92 

PART V. 

EIGIITEEJS-EIGIITY-ONE. 

The State.s and the Stars, 97 

Queen Victoria, 100 

PART VL 
MEDITATIVE AXD DEVOTIONAL SONG. 

The Yearly Miracle, . . 10;i 

Sorrow Flowers to Disconsolate Friends, 105 

Angelus Domini lOci 

iwiLiGHT Stars, 110 

The Wayfarer. lia 

DoMINEl ASPERGES Me 113 

Kyrie Eleison, 11") 

Before the Cross, 116 

The Despondency of St. Paul 117 

Lenten Reverie, IIS 

Meadow Hymn, 119 



The music accotiipanying 7tiany_ of these poems ivill be j>ubUsheci hereafter 

serially, and in such shape that they can be bound to 

correspond zuith this volufne. 



CAPRICES OF COLLEGE DAYS. 



PRELUDE. 

In explanation of some allusions in the following •• Macaronic" 
of college life, a few words may be desirable for those less familiar 
with the frolicsome doings of students at Yale, and the institutions 
existing among them at the period of which the poem treats. 

At this period there were three literary societies, or clubs, for 
debating and social purposes,— the "Linonian," "Brothers in 
Unity," and •' Calliopean." Each was provided with a hall and 
well-supplied library. The last-named was a Southern society, 
and composed exclusively of students born. south of ]\Iason and 
Dixon's line. 

Between the former two there existed great rivalry as to the 
numerical list of membership, the size of library, and general 
attractions of Hall. A so-called "Statement of facts" was pre- 
pared for the newly-arriving Freshmen every year, and the flatter- 
ing suavity with which they were treated, and the arguments used 
to secure their membersliip for one or the other club, were only 
equalled by the sudden change of demeanor and treatment which 
some experienced after they had once made their choice. Even 
while makmg this, the desire for a little fun was sometimes irre- 
sistible. 

The " Commons," was a refectory on the college grounds, where 
all students were obliged to take their meals, except such as by 
special permission were allowed to provide their repasts elsewhere. 

The rigorous hours for rising, announced by the early prayer- 
bell, were six in the winter, (an hour or so before daylight.) and 
live, or thereabout, in the summer. 



The lake referred to, is the l)eautiful " Lake Saltonstall," a few 
miles distant from New Haven. 

The Trumbull gallery of paintintis, illustrative of seenes in our 
war of revolution with the mother eountry, was the first art -feature 
of Yale, and will always prove of a national interest the moi'e 
ai)pealiug the moi'e remote. 

The President mentioned, was tiii' venei'ahle Jeremiah Day. a 
man of singular benignity and sweetness of temper, beloved of all 
the students, fragile of frame and health, but wlio, by the benefi- 
cent influence of a tranquil and even mind, and regular habits 
of exercise, lived to a great old age, and officiated as Prex of Yale 
for twenty-nine years, — a jjeriod longer than any other Yale Presi- 
dent, before or since. 

The "hazings" herewith recounted were matters partly of fact, 
and p.irtly of college tradition; while some were gleaned from the 
fanciful sphere of the Mi<ild-h(ti-e.-heen. 



HAZING. 



[5y the bard of a Freshman, Club, intoned at a commiseration 
meeting under the college elms.'] 



'^iWfi'C/'/ lacy r ma lioram when Satan invented 
'^^ The art that all Freshmen bewail : 
Heu! lacryma diem when hazing bef el iis, 
And Satan broke loose in old Yale. 

By diem I intimate Day Jeremiah, 

Our kindly old President slim ; 
For pranks sophomoric that gave us the colic, 

Were specially griping to him. 

Fraternal your fellowship, elms of New Haven, 

By nature so verdantly Fresh. 
Then rustle your woe at the story of hazings. 

That grieved both my spirit and flesh. 



lO Cop ices of College Days. 

PLAINT PEIMUS. 

The Sophs at first were smooth and bland, 

And asked about my sister, 
My Pa and Ma, the girl I loved 

And if I sorely missed her. 

And apropos, Ave yearn to know, 
As yearns your best of mothers, 

Which Yale society you'll join, 
"Linonians," or "Brothers." 

In fine, we rivals are to prove 

The first in your affection : 
Then choose between the anxious two. 

And speak your fond election. 

I faltered. Then they crowded round, 
And argued each with unction : 

Their pressing frames and logic close 
Distressed my breathing function : 



Cap) ices oj College Days. 

They reasoned on my tender feet, 
Witli pleas and pains a legion : 

They punched my ribs for emphasis, 
And rapped my gastric region. 

At last they clutched me, right and left. 

My pulses fondly hugging, 
And pulled at me two different ways, 

As at a wish-bone tugging. 

Each strained me t'ward their Hall away ; 

And wild with agitation. 
My thoughts revolved on " taking off," 

Macbeth, and "deep damnation." 

Enough. Of course, sincere they wrought. 

With rival zeal amazing : 
Yet I was conscious all the same 

That I had stood a hazino-. 



t2 Caprices of College Days. 

Chorus. 
Heu! lacryma horam wlien Satan invented 
The art that all Freshmen bewail : 

Solo. 
The art that all Sophomores hail 
As better than bivalves and ale : 
A fine-art which forces to pale 
All Trumbnll's art glories at Yale : 

Chorus. 
Heu! lacryma diem when hazing befel us, 
And Satan broke loose in old Yale. 

PLAINT SECUNDUS. 

At midnight when the moon was low, 

\_Oroans. Cries of plagiarism, and " Hohenlinden." Objection 
oTerruled. Excerption taken. Bandmaster orders Da Capo.} 

At midnight when the moon and I 

Were low in sleep's horizon, 
Some Sojohs approached my bed, — the friend 

Alone a Fresh relies on. 



Caprices of College Days. x% 

Aroused, I cliid those college rats 

My bedroom thus invading : 
Whereat they twined a tale of truce, 
Of soft and smooth persuading : — 

" We heard you restless in your sleep, 

And softly murmur. Mother : 
let us haste to comfort him, 

We said to one another." 

For solace, then, they sought and brought 

My all too handy fuel. 
And tucked me up with sticks of wood. 

In wise both kind and cruel. 

And Just as 'neath my head they placed 

A log, they spied a letter. 
And t'ward them drew my ears, that I 

Might hear them read it better. 



14 Caprices of College Days. 

Lest I were cold, my window wide 
They ojDed, as air reformer, 

Then put the bureau top of me 
With drawers to keep me warmer. 

On this my desk, with legs in air ; 

And with perverse concoction 
To one they tied my muffler red, 

As though I were an auction. 



Then stole these classic rats below 
With furtive step and laughter ; 

A step as when on gan^et stairs 
The tails come di^oi)ping after. 



Chorus. 

Heu ! lacryma Jioram when Satan invented 
The art that all Freshmen bewail :— 

lEt cet. and ad liUiiim quite is my chorus, 
As lungs and the time may avail.] 



Caprices of College Days. 15 

PLAINT TERTIUS. 

The air was cliill, the moon was pale, 

My cheek, and evening choker, 
When late I left a game of whist, 

And friends avIio froAvn on poker. 

The college stairs I darkly groped, 

While memory i^ictured kindly 
The bucks and beaus, the girls and curls, 

I just had left behind me. 

But her it pictured not, whose foot 

Ere mine those stairs had plodded. 
To wit, a cow ; which up to me. 

As guest, the Sophs had prodded. 

She settled down, my milky chum, 

With loss of breath affected, 
Her head and horns toward the door. 

As tliough she me expected. 



1 6 Capiices of College Days. 

I came ; and instant tripped and plunged 

0' er hoofs and horns of evil : 
In utter dark with them mixed up, 

I thought it was the devil. 

At morn, when rang the bell for prayers, 

She rose and thought it over ; 
It seemed the bell of flocks and herds. 

That summoned her to clover. 

Her Juno eyes wide oped ; her head 

Popped out my open casement ; 
While laughed and jeered the Chapel throng, 

Just passing by the basement. 

Now though I might forgive the Sophs 

Who thus a Fresh can bully, 
I thought it was unfeeling, quite, 

To haze the artless mulley. 



Caprices of College Days. 17 

PLAIN"T QITARTUS. 

I chant an ancient race, whose names 

To speak were sudden lockjaws, 
Old residents in haunts of Yale, 

In color like to Choctaw s. 

These fragrant aborigines. 

By daylight bad affected, 
At night their wigwams quit, and smite 

In parts quite unexpected. 

Athirst they only claret crave. 

All other drinks refusing : 
With lancet points they bleed their prey, 

Nor stop at poison using. 

Our trunks, our clothes they prowl around. 

Invade, as oft their betters. 
Our very desks, our bills unpaid. 

And files of tender letters. 



18 Caprices of College Days. 

Our bedsteads we in vain anoint : 

They scale the wall to ceiling, 
And just when overhead, they drop 

On homes and haunts of feeling. 

Both underbred and college bred, 

This tribe defies expression : 
Yet gorged with classic lore and gore. 

They shine in their profe3sion. 

ISTow who, and whence, these Choctaws red. 

Of manners so confounding % 
Tradition olden gives of this 

A clear, and true expounding : — 

By transmigration fell, those pests. 

These b-b imps that craze us, 
Are souls of Sophomores defunct, 

The fiend permits to haze us. 



Caprices of College Days. ig 



PLAIXT QUIXTUS. 

The moulting time liad come for her, 
My dove, my sweetheart i)retty. 

And she, her plumage to renew. 
Had flown to N^ew York city. 

Her parents too, the funds to tip : — 
When late one evening dreamy, 

A card was slix)ped beneath my door,- 
" Returned : come soon to see me." 

Too late to haste to her, but not 
With serenade to greet her, 

I thought at least in realms of song 
By moonlight I could meet her. 

My pensive lute, that like to me 
With sentiment was swooning, 

Of course most gladly stood me by, 
Whene'er I went a-mooning. 



26 Cap) ices of ColUi^e Days. 

So long we trolled and troubadour' d 

To her with strains united, 
By none except a surly dog 

Amazed I found requited. 

No sweet bouquet from lattice thrown, 
Or feeling note still warmer ; 

But suddenly a voice with brogue 
Flew out a window dormer : — 

"Tho' far the folks, and lonesome quite 
Me heart for music yearns, sir-r, 

Yer banjo seems fatagued : good night, 
And many happy returns, sir-r." 

I had to keep my bed a week. 

And feign a bilious fever, 
To shun a Soph, whose odious winks 

Betrayed the base deceiver. 



Caprices of College Days. 21 

PLAINT SEXTUS. 

We planned a picnic to the lake, 

To glad the summer lazy : 
We' d give the girls the best to eat, 

But what to drink was hazy. 

The heat suggested "extra dry :" 

Huzza ! said freshman Mori3hy : 
But warned by bills to settle up, 

We settled down on coffee. 

Our spread was gorgeous. Much the girls 

Approved the pickles jDlenty : 
But ah ! with other pickles came 

A hazing Soph of twenty. 

Who asked him l Satan : — for when soon 

My girl a song requested, 
' ' How sweet from yonder lakeside boat 

'Twould sound," the Soph suggested. 



2i Capiices of College Days. 

Alert I went with my guitar, 

But scarce could I begin it, 
When off he shoved the skiff from shore, 

Without a paddle in it. 

So out ujDon the breezy lake 

I drifted round exploring, 
Afar from luncheon and the girls, — 

From her, my soul's adoring. 

Remote I saw him flirt with her. 

The rival Soph I hated. 
And homeward lead her off, when late 

The picnic had abated. 

I paddled back with my guitar, 
Whose woes could scarce be s^^oken : 

We both were wrecked : our heart-strings snapt, 
Our ribs and back were broken. 



Caprices of College Days. 23 

PLAIXT SEPTIMUS. 

I -could not stand it any more, 

This gay, but grievous liazing. 
My spirit-cup overflowed, took fire, 

And it and I were blazing. 

Now being not to boxing bred, 

For lack of Ring vocation, 
I sought for one who' d i)atch the pants 

Of boyish education. 

A colored tutor came, who spoke 

Of "gigs," "nobs," "mugs," unseemly, 

And "Come-and-see-me," and the like. 
Which pained my taste extremely. 

To box him black and blue, I saw 

But half the work was needy, 
I only had to stain him blue. 

The black was there already. 



24 Caprices of College Days. 

He sudden stopped, and brought his bill 
Of headache spoke with candor, 

Of vertigo, and Avhat he called 
My terrible left-hander. 

Soon went a flagrant Soph to ground. 

By gravity specific. 
And made a rather hasty lunch 

On blades of grass prolific. 

Then basely fell his friends on me. 

With outside fists to win it. 
And like a jack-knife doubled up 

My framework in a minute. 

And I was forced to tell my girl. 

The lovely Flora Parker, 
A coal-black football hit my face, 

Hence my complexion darker. 



Caprices of College Days. 25 

PLAIXT OCTAVUS. 

O have you known some cold, dark morn, 
When e' en the prayer bell shivered, 

What ' tis to clutch your trousers fond, 
From you but briefly severed ; 

Which tied beneath were filled with snow, 

By foe I mention needn't : — 
To hasty thrust therein your limbs, 

And then to wish you hadn' t ? 

Or felt in Commons, while at meal, 

What ' tis to have a message 
Of soft, baked apple fly to you, 

And gushing greet your visage ? 

Or find the rooms.you'd fragrant made 

With scents of all the x^osies, 
Most foul with assafcetida. 

That puckers dying noses ? 



26 Caprices of College Days. 

Or get a note polite to dine 

From, Oh I — your sweetheart's father, 
Who'd frowned upon your suit, and vowed 

He'd fail in business rather ; 

Full-dress you go, ecstatic quite 
O'er wrongs so sweetly righted, 

To find no plate was set for you, 
And you were not invited \ 

— Such wiles and woes comlDine the brains 

Of b-bng, fly, mosquito, 
And sundry others I could name. 

But skip to add the fl.ea too. 

And should be mine that nether world 
Where So^Dhomores are blazing, 

I'm quite convinced these festive imps 
Will still keep up the hazing. 



Caprices of College Days. 27 

EXTHUSIASTIC RESOLUTIONS. 

Resolved, that we, tlie Freshman Chib, 

Are with our bard delighted, 
So far as we have listened to 

The lyrics he' s recited. 

Nay more, as loyal in our feuds, 

The tales he's told, though hummers, 

With Sophs as gospel truths we'll vouch, 
And hold against all comers. 

Per contra, viewed as sober facts. 

The legends he's been telling- 
Are tougher for us to digest. 

Than Webster-^Yorc'ster spelling. 

Essentially preadamic 

In age are very many ; 
The old and trite our minds fatigued, 

The new believed not any. 



28 Caprices 0/ College Days. 

Mesolxed, that we're an honest Club : 

This personal narration 
Of what could ne'er have happ'd to him, 

Deserves our reprobation. 

We still retain him as our bard, 

But after penance proper : 
A reckless flow of ink like this 

Requires a speedy stopper. 

Besolmd, that we are almost Sophs : 
E'en now steal round the fences 

The Freshmen new, and gales of fun 
Salute our blissful senses. 

But inexpert, we need a field 

Of practice to expand in. 
So we'll proceed to haze our bard, 

As ' twere to i>et our hand in. 



Caprices of College Days. 



29 



&)lus. 

I've gained my room : no earthly pow'r 
Was near to aid, or save me, 

Excepting one, — tlie wondrous speed 
Of legs my mother gave me. 




30 Caprices of College Days. 



TO SOMEBODY. 



Wl LL things seem to go awry : 
'^i Someone knows the reason why. 
Dull the friend, the book, the stroll, 
Song and jest distasteful roll ; 
Others tliink me tame and slow, 
Tedious to myself I grow. 

Whence tliat tempting, teasing charm, 

Free of art, as full of harm ? 

Whence that mirthful, spicy lip, 
Which my pathos loves to nip ? 

What misdeed the worse for us 

Doomed me to adore you thus % 



Caprices of College Days. 31 

Graced with more than beauty's share, 
I might call yon sinfnl-fair : 

And if yon do not relent, 

Of your wicked charms repent, 
I for yon some shrine must woo, 
Prayers,— or wedding bells to sne ! 




32 Caprices of College Days. 

MY COTTAGE LOVE 



^I^OOD BYE to thee, my cottage love, 

The summer's reached its end. 
Good bye to brooks, and rocks, and trees, 
For e\'ery one' s a friend. 

Good bye to thee, my darling's moon : 

Thou nowhere shin'st so fair 
As down on her, when she comes forth 

To breathe the evening air. 

The clover path, the shady lane. 

Exist not else at all, — 
At least so sweet as where her voice 

Has let some music fall. 

And when would cricket ever chirp 

That heard a footstep nigh, 
Except the one within the hedge 

Where oft she passes by % 



dipt ices of College Days. 33 

And as to birds, what fear have they ? 

AVhat need to fly away \ 
So far from this, Avith all their might 

They sing to have her stay. 

And when aside the lake she temjpts 

With crumbs the finny brood, 
They float around, and stare at her, 

And never touch their food. 

She fancies not my words in rhyme ; 

And says she thinks, and knows, 
The poets sing of what is not — 

For love give her the prose. 

And so farewell to song and verse, 

A sin I'll hope forgiv'n : 
She's music, rhyme, and all to me, 

A poem fresh from heav'n ! 



34 Co prices of College Days. 



THAT NORTHEASTER. 



^ NCE my girl and I Avere counting 
On an Easter Sunday bright ; 
Slie would wear a new spring bonnet, 
I, a glove and trouser light. 

Donnerwetter ! what a weather I — 
Saturdaj^ first gave us j)ause : 

Sunday not a sun ; and dressy 
Easter a north -Easter was. 

Call a cab, dear boy, she murmured, 
Heart, and hope, and sky are dark : 

Get a boat, said I ; 'tis cheaper : 
Bring along the festive ark. 

Seek the odious India rubber — 
Gum that grieves the j)laintive corn : 

Find the hideous aqua scutum — 
Thin 2: we hate the more 'tis worn. 



Caprices of Co'ie~e Days. 35 

Woe ! she siglied, my Easter bonnet ; 

Woe ! said I, my trousers new : 
And somehow, 'twixt woe and wooing, 

Old folks' pew had seats for two. 

Bless the healthy, pious x^arents, 
Who for church all else will scout, 

Quit the fold, and lamb within it. 
And a beau that can't get out. 

— Dinner came : Pa talked the sermon : 

Little heed gave I thereby : 
Stuffed with chestnuts was the tuikey. 

Plum the pudding, mince the x)ie. 

Thus when Easter brings northeaster, 

Penance done at home were well : 
' Tis a method of observance 

Not the worst for beau and belle. 



MINNE-SONGS 

OF STUDENT LIFE IN GERMANY. 



Miiine- Songs of Student Life in Germany. 39 



SPRING RAMBLE 

IN THE VALE OF ROSES. 



f'HIDE not til' intruder, still, sequestered 



i groves ! 

Your soft, spring verdure shuts me closely in. 
Dense are these leafy shades ! 'Mid dreamy haze 
Of loosened blossoms and bewildering scents. 
Entranced I wander ! 

The airs of Spring are sighing through the grove, 

On plaintive wings : 
I hear 'neath rustling leaves, like muffled chimes, 

The gush of springs : 
The river's rippling voice is low afar, — 
How sweet, O Spring ! thy tender voices are ! 



40 Minne-Songs of Student Life in Germany. 

» 

And zephyrs faint are sighing round my heart, 

On plaintive wings : 
While tenderly are welling up, within, 

A thousand springs ! 
A fairy voice is breathing softly near, — 
How sweet, O heart ! in Spring thy voices are. 

I stray and seek, I know not where, nor what : 

But tell the shade, — 
O were the Spring within thy dreamy haunts 

A beauteous maid, 
I'd clasp the dainty beauty at my side, 
Though in the fraijrance of her breath I died ! 



— Near Schilleys Cottar/e, "Rosenthal" Leijmc. 



Minne- Songs of Student Life in Germany. 41 



PREMONITION. 



OW the sweet night, tender-ey'd, 
Parts her veil of deepening blue. 
Parts, and through it gazes down 
On a world that fades from view. 
Shadows fall, but nature yet 

Seems to wait a coming light, 
Seems a conscious ray to feel 
From th' approaching Queen of night. 
Thus to fond and conscious sense 

Bright approachings seem to start; 
Thus a shape of earthly light 
Seems prefigured in my heart. 

What thou art, each dream revealed 
That from Heaven sweetest stole ; 

Who thou art, Avitli longing pain 
Questions my imjDatient soul. 



42 MliDie-Soiigs of Student Life in Germany. 

Oft Fve bid the evening gale, — 

Tell me her for whom thou sigh'st 
Oft besought th' ?eolian tone, — 
Say for whom so sweet thou di' st \ 
Like the lark we vainly seek 

Warbling from some dazzling spot, 
Oft I've heard thy fond refrain, 

Songlit my lark, but found her not ! 

Tliou, who art the voice of sjDring, 

Whisj)er of each leafy way. 
Breath of every clover path, — 
From my gaze no longer stay ! 

Yon she comes, the gracious moon. 
Bathed in sheen of golden light, 
She, the source of thousand sighs. 
Theme of poets, spell of night.. 
Gentle source of all my sighs, 

Forth to bright existence start ! 
Let me see thee, call thee mine. 
Sweet Ideal of my heart ! 



Miniic-Soiss of Student Life in Germany. 43 

MUSIC DREAM. 



HEARD tliee singing in my dream ; 
And to that tuneful breatli of thine. 
Like some seolian lattice-harp 
Responsive thrilled this heart of mine. 

That zephyr strain I— how softly clear 
It trembled through my inmost frame ! 

That warm response '.—how plead my heart 
To flutter whence the music came ! 

A longing pain possessed my soul ; 

And sighing deeply I awoke : 
A moment, and the dream had fled, 

The music died, the spell was broke. 

O when shall longings such as these 
Be stilled, that now my breast control % 

O when my dream be gained, in thee, 
Maiden, thou music of my soul ! 



44 Miiiih'-Soni^s of StiiJeitt Life in Grrviany. 

POET AND LUTE. 




HEN, as silent niglit comes doAvn, 

Not a waking sonl is nigh, 

And my lute and pleasant thoughts 

Bear me sweetest company ; 
Musing, then, I dream along, 

Dream and sing my quiet song. 

Throb ! my lute, thy tuneful pain, 

While my heartbeat times the strain. 

Blest the dream that cheers and charms 
Hours so lonely, else, and dull : 

Sweet the song whose honest strain 
Tells of what the heart is full ! 

Such, my Fair ! are they to me, — 

Song and dream are both of thee. 
Throb ! my lute, thy tuneful pain, 
While mv heartbeat rimes the strain. 



Afihne-Son^s of Student Life in Gei-many. 



45 



Speed ! thou fairy masked in song, 
Fairy formed of dulcet air ; 

With thy lip of music kiss, 

Lightly kiss my slumbering Fair. 

Tell her how my heart and I 

Long for her sweet company. 

Throb ! my lute, thy tuneful pain. 
While my heartbeat times the strain. 




46 Jl'/inne- Songs of Student Life in Cermany. 



IN HER BOUDOIR. 



HEN sunk in some sweet reverie 




I view tliee, in thy still retreat, 
* 
My heart, before I venture there, 

Lies captive, lady, at thy feet ! 

And when those wondrous eyes of thine 
Uplift, with flooding radiance full, 

They dawn on my bewildered sense 
As opened heaven on my soul ! 

But when thy welcome comes, in tones 
That born in heaven their music keep, 

Then sinking near thee, strangely faint, 
I falter with emotion deep. 



Minnf- Songs of Student Life m Germany. 47 

Forgive this most unmanly heart, . 

Inebriate of its love' s first wine : 
No heart by love overmastered not 

Could all control defy like mine I 

And if but rhapsody thou deem 
The words which I address to thee, 

Thyself, sweet cause ! hast taught me first 
What folly heartfelt love may be ! 




4^ Miniic-Songs of Student Life in Germany. 



THE MITTEN. 




[By the Poet Von llitandhuri.'] 

-^'LONDES are but seemingly angels, 
Fashioned deceitfully fair : 
Visions of heavenly fiction, 
Luring fond hearts to despair. 

Golden hair'd, mischievous fairies, 

Sylphs of a ' wilderiiig grace. 
Sirens of perilous music, — 

These are but types of the race. 

Lessons of poets and sages, 

Legends of earth and of air, 
Lorelei lyrics of E-hineland, 

Warn us of blondes to beware. 



Miniie-Songs of Student Life in Gennany. 49 

Theirs is the warmth of the moonlight ; 

Hearts as of rosebuds on ice ; 
Glances of exquisite nothings ; 

Sighs of delicious device. 

Bid them repent and be angels 

Blonde,— and 3'et pious thereby ; 
Urge it with skeptical fervor, — 

Ask no embarrassing, Why ? 

O had I known e' er proposing ! 

Ere she said, No — with a Sir ! 
Yet will I cherish her mitten 

To warm my" hand — snowballing her ! 




50 Mimic- Songs of Student Life in Cennany. 



BACHELOR HERESIES. 



\By Von Hitandlmrf.] 

II ! ladies' tears are near their eyes ; 
^i All ready, at a momenf s warning : 
And near tlieir lij^s are ladies' sighs ; 
Exhaled at night, to die at dawning. 

Brothers, quit ! you're foolish — very 
More the lover, less the merry. 
Man and maid's a duo dreary ; 
Man and man's a music cheery. 

Their favor's hung on tip o' the tongue ; 

Each fresher fancy blithe to follow : 
Celestial hari3S, too lightly strung, 
Concords to-day, discords to-morrow. 
Brothers, quit! you're foolish — very 
More the lover, less the merry. 
Man and maid's a duo dreary ; 
Man and man's a music cheery. 



Minne- Songs of Student Life, in Germany. 51 

Yet some would doubt 'twixt yes and no ; 
Or halve tlie doubt, with temper limber : 
In fine, they hesitate. Go to — 
Who hesitates is lost, remember. 

Brothers, quit ! your foolish — very : 
More the lover, less the merry. 
Man and maid' s a duo dreary ; 
Man and man' s a music cheery. 




52 Miniie-Sougs, of Student Life in Germany. 



NANNERL. 



[Trandaied from, a Tyrolean Folk Song.] 

F e'er to Heay'ri, said lie, 



• You want to get, s'd he, 
Be sure and take with you 

The little Nanneii, s'd he. 
Yon never conld, s'd he. 

Get near the door, s' d he. 
Unless that witching maid 

Should walk before ! 

She' s fresh as Alpine air ; 

Her cheek's a peach, s'd he ; 
Her kiss is cherry-sweet. 

Her lips the cherries, s'd he. 
Her milk white arm, s'd he. 

Has such a spell, s'd he. 
Around a sickly man — 

'Twould make him well ! 



Minne-Songs of Student Life in Germany. 53 

And NanneiTs liair, s'cl he, 

As fine as flax, s'd lie ; 
And her little heart, s'd he, 

As soft as wax, s'd he. 
And NanneiT s throat, s' d he. 

Is fair as snow, s'd he. 
And her foot' s as dainty-small 

As foot of roe. 

A single glance, s' d he. 

From little ISTannerl, s' d he, 
Itself is bliss enough 

For any man, s' d he. 
In that bine eye, s'd he. 

That deep blue eye, s'd he, 
My soul could gaze and gaze 

For aye and aye ! 



54 Minne- Songs of Student Life in Germany. 

Whenever Nannerl, s'd he, 

Arrives in Heav'n, s'd he, 
'Twill malve a stir at once 

Among the angels, s'd he. 
^"0 peace uor rest, s'd he. 

Will be her lot, s'd he. 
For O a Nannerl in Heav'n,— 

They have not got ! 

So sweet a maid, s'd he, 

As little Nannerl, s'd he, 
Precisely snch a one 

Must yet be mine, s'd he. 
And if the fates, s'd he. 

Such bliss deny, s'd he, 
A mournful bachelor 

I'll live and die ! 



Mintie- Songs of Student Life in Germany. 55 



EARTHLY LOVES. 



^,| II EAL gently with an honest love, 

Though strange, at times, it seem to be 
The heart's a magnet oft, and true 
To subtle instincts none can see. 

When mortals meet, their spirits hold 

Communion mystic in the air : 
And trust and doubt, and love and hate. 

Are oft exchanged in silence there ! 

Ah ! speed affection, pure and true : 
Its time to bloom will soon be o'er — 

We cannot know^ what earthly flowers 
Transplanted are to yonder shore ! 



56 Mitiue- Songs of Student Life in Germany. 

Full many a fragile, tender joy, 
Was made, perchance, for eartli alone : 

And whether found, or failed of, here, 
In afterlife may ne'er be known. 

We hope, we plead, that love's poor bliss 
As known on earth in heaven may live : 

But ah ! what prophet, sage, or seer, 
Can pledge of this, or promise give ? 

And though diviner love may be 
Than that which oft afflicts us so, 

'Tis not the earthlier bliss we crave, 
'Tis not the love that mortals know ! 




Minne- Songs of Student Life in Germany. 57 



MAIDEN MOODS. 



PRING lias unveiled lier enchantment, 
Spring, with her smiles and tears : 
Gladdened with hoi3es and with longings. 
Saddened w^itli doubts and fears. 

Forth to fair nature I wander. 

Stray through lier haunts of green, 
Think on a life that has wakened 

Sweet as the spring, within. 

Thoughtful I muse on the future ; 

Think of that spring' s decline ; 
Sigh that its blossoms must wither, — 

Fear for these hopes of mine. 

Still is my love in her April ; 

Fitful and sad I rove : 
Yet am I blest in that sadness, — 

Sweet is the spring of love ! 



58 Minnc-Sougs of Student Life in Germany. 



SONG WITHOUT WORDS. 



|1-||HEN he, my bosom's tenderest Mend, 
^"^^ Is near me, with his juimeless spell, 
A spell I could not, wonld not break, 

Yet whose sweet pain no words can tell ; 
When wrestling Avith my wonnded heart 

I strive its rebel throbs to hide, 
Then turning to the slumbering keys, 

I loose their full, melodious tide. 

And then, in that sweet, mystic tongue. 

Whose tuneful secrets all may hear. 
In music' s vague, but passionate tones, 

I pour my love into his ear. 
And when from out my heart have flowed 

The woes that on its cords have weighed. 
The XDain is stilled : my love is told. 

All told, — A^et I am not betrayed ! 



Mi7ine- Songs of Student Life in Germany. 



59 



O language blest ! whose secret sense 

Eacli heart may for itself possess, 
Through which the soul may safely pour 

Its inmost bliss, or wretchedness ! 
Words are too harsh for gentle need, 

Too bold for much we subtly feel : 
Song witlioiit icords alone proclaims 

The truth we'd speak,— yet not reveal ! 




6o Mirine- Songs of Student Life in Germany. 



HER BLISS AND WOE. 



I HOW shall love its i)assion flee, 
A love that is, — but should not be ? 

O how a heart with Heaven comply 

The heaven within itself to fly. \ 

Or joy, or pain, from love may flow. 
And love is bliss, and love is woe ! 

Ah why should love's spontaneous flame 
We kindle not, be fault, or shame? 
At times, a conscious impulse starts 
To hide it in my heart of hearts ; 

And then, like some fond music-strain, 
I'd give it to the world again ! 



Minne-Sons;s of Sttident Life in Germany. 



6i 



O realm ! that only dreamers see, 
Wliere love may frankly spoken be, 
How many a heart to thee would fly, 
That stifles here affection' s cry ! 
O land of artless life and air — 
Sweet angels ! quickly take me there 




62 Miunc-Soiigs of Student Life in Germany. 



AT BAY. 




IS name may never pass these lips ! 
And yet this heart of love and flame 
Beats to no other tuneful pulse, 
Than to the music of that name ! 

Betray it not, thou treacherous glance I 
Thou cheek, alternate j)ale and flush. 

Reveal not what no sign shall own, 
This idle love for Avliich I blush ! 

For deep as love is maiden pride ; 

Her tears but mask a courage brave : 
A woman's love requited not. 

Is love in arms, respect to save. 

But O how strangely dear the wound 
By manly charms unconscious given ! 

Its pain, like some sweet music-throe, 
Has less of earth in it, than heaven ! 



Minne- Songs of Slndent Life in Germany. 63 



SLEEP, THE KIND ANGEL. 



,^^ LEEP, the kind angel is near me, 

Angel of balm and of rest : 
Balm for the wounds of the spirit, 
Rest for the pangs of the breast 

Grateful I lean on his bosom, 
Dreaming love's beautiful spring ; 

Sure that the buds would all blossom. 
Love-birds forever would sing. 

Peace to the heart that has faltered !— 
Ah ! like her Master and Friend, 

Woman, forgot and neglected, 
Faithful loves on to the end ! 

Death, the kind angel, is near me, 

Angel of balm and of rest : 
Sweet, to the wounded and weary. 

Slumber's last swoon on his breast I 



64 Aliime- Songs of Student Life in Germany. 



THE MINSTREL'S LOVE. 



OME to my heart my love, my Music ! 
Bride of my youth, my steadfast friend 
Friend that has never yet betrayed me, 
Bride whose enchantments never end ! 

E'en in thy breast the discords nesting 

Lovinglj^ glide to concords rare : 
These are but thorns of tnnefnl roses. 

They but enhance the sweetness there ! 

Wedded were we when youth was dreamy, 
Dreamy with music' s dulcet wine : 

Twined were our souls by art's high Master, 
One who is music-self, divine. 

Friendships may cool, and love grow weary, 

Joy in all else of life decay. 
Music lives on with charms immortal, 

Lives as the Minstrel's heaven, alway ! 



REFRAINS IN THE MINOR. 



Refrains in .the ]\fino7 . 67 



THE VALLEY WATER-JET. 



AD MATEEM. 

^^ EEP within a quiet valley 

Burst a fountain forth to light, 
Burst, and sprang instinctive upward, 

For its source was on the height. 
But its bright and eager waters 

Gained not far their u^Dward track ; 
Bonds invisible detained them, 
And they fell exhausted back. 

On that fountain's emerald margin 

Musingly I sat reclined, 
Listened to the fountain' s music. 

Wished I might its chain unbind : 
Thought, though earth with subtle lingers 

Still drew back its silver rain. 
Summer suns would soon release it, 

Soon as mist 'twould mount again. 



68 Refraws hi the Minor. 

Thus within my bosom's valley 

Bursts the fount of life its sod ; 
Bursts, and springs instinctive upward, 

For its lofty source is God. 
But that striving spirit-fountain 

Gains not far its ui3ward track ; 
Bonds invisible detain it, 

Oft it sinks exhausted back. 

On that fountain' s vital margin 

Sits a spirit, still-reclined ; 
Radiant now, with silver pinion, 

But a soul, from earth refined. 
Still that gentle S2)irit watches. 

Waits till mine shall rend its chain ; 
While, at times, its wings unfolding, 

Lure my soul the height to gain. 



— Valley of the Taunus, Germany. 



Refrains in the Minor. 69 



UNNESTED. 



ENTLY as broodetli the dove in her nest, 
Rocked to the music of streams, 
So in the tremulous couch of my heart 
Broodeth the dove of my dreams. 

Ah ! but a winter wind, rude from the north, 
Scares mj white dove from her nest. 

Cold now, and drearj^, the couch of my heart, — 
Spring is but cruel, at best ! 

Gently as broodeth the dove in her nest. 

Rocked to the music of streams, 
So in yon tremulous couch of the stars 

Rocks, now, the dove of my dreams. 

Never a chilling wind, rude from the north, 
Frights my white dove from her rest. 

Peace, then, my heart ! for of kind seasons all, 
Spring to my love was the best, — 
Sirring was the kindest, the best ! 



•JO Refrains itt the Minor. 



BY MOONLIGHT. 



I 



I L ANET ! of dreamiest radiance, 
What brings thy thoughtful light ? 
Longings for loving tones, 
Sighs for departed ones. 
O for a sweet soul, vanished. 
How longs ray heart to-night ! 

For thee, pure spirit, early departed ! 

Moonlight ! that cheers, or saddens, 
As hearts be light, or lone. 

Blends with thy luminous dyes 

Lustre from angel eyes — 
Gazes adown thy radiance 
My love, this night of June 'i 

Mysterious influence, tell me, tell me ! 



Refiains in the Minor. 



71 



My song like tuneful vapor 

Floats up to fields of light. 

Bear her, with tenderest plea, 
Music ! this sigh from me, — 

Life is but pain without thee ; 

Would it might end to-night. 

End to rejoin thee, early departed ! 




72 Refrains in the Minor. 



NOVEMBER. 




|HY art tlioii sighing, breeze of the wood- 
TT land % 

Why are ye withering, leaves, at the moan ? 
Spring and its liowers are fled, 
All that was bright is dead. 
Swell, breeze, thy dirges, then. 
Pale leaves, fade on ! 

Why art thon sighing, harp of my bosom ? 
Why are ye faltering, hopes, at the moan ? 

Spring from the world has fled, — 

She, my dear love is dead ! 
Breathe, heart, thy dirges, then. 

Sad life, wear on ! 



Refrains in the Minor. 73 



SNOW ON HER GRAVE. 



;NOW-MOSS now grows o'er thee, pale love 
of mine ! 

Chilled the w^arm loveliness once that was thine. 
Moans thy young babe for thee, motherless left, 
Lone as thy other two darlings liereft : 
Clings my own heart to thee, loth to resign ;— 
Yet, 'neath the snow-moss art thou, love of mine ! 

' Round those fresh lips, my love, smiles hovered 

bright : 
Through those fair eyes, my dove, beamed the 

lovelight : 
Innocence dwelt in thee, native and pure ; 
Charity strove in thee, noiseless but sure ; 
Tenderness yearned in thee, all but divine, — 
Yet, 'neath the snow-moss art thou, love of mine ! 



74 



Refrains in the Mino7\ 



Denth-angel pitiless I guilty look down, 

View what tliy frost has wrought, frost of thy 

froAvn I 
could I join but the shimberer there I 
— Hush I a voice floats to me, soft on the air, 
'• Pine not to rest with nie ; time swiftly ebbs : 
Live for the living, love, oare for my babes ! " 




Refrains ht the Minor. 75 



JESSAMINE'S SHOE. 



PrRXED from off tlie little foot that wears it, 
There it lies, a wee and winsome thing : 
Smooth, and bent, and full of shiny creases, 

Binding torn, and ^\\t\\ a broken string. 
Yet in spite of all its rents and wrinkles, 

Toe and heel bent np, like a canoe, 
Naught could be more tenderly apj)ealing, 
Than to me that little baby-shoe ! 

White the foot, the dainty foot that fills it. 

Like to Avax, a mould of kid within : 
Xot a break o'er all its polished plumpness, 

]S"ot a spot upon the satin skin. 
Creeping, now, my pet explores the carpet. 

Picking specks, while others laugh and talk : 
Now it stands, and smiling trundles t' ward me. 

With a droll, and tipsy little walk ! 



76 Refrains in the Minor. 

Why should tears disturb so sweet a vision \ 

Ah I there' s one, who ne' er will ope the door, 
x\nd with eves all sparkling Avith affection, 

Catch thee, sweet ! and kiss thee o' er and o' er. 
Thine no more that yonthful mother's kisses! 

In her tomb, that looks toward the sea, 
Calm she sleejDS ; while all in vain thy father 

Strives to be, what she to thee wonld be. 

Who could guide those doubtful little footsteps 

Through a world the Master found so dim — 
Who the quiet sidepath trace to Heaven, 

Like to her, Avho walked so near to Him ? 
Close she pressed ! — so close He fondly took her 

By the hand, and led her to his home. 
There she lives ; and through its starry lattice 

Watches, waits, for all her loves to come ! 



Refrains in the Minor. 77 



NOT FAR. 



'^ T times I seem t" approach the mystic veil, 
^^ Which screens but thinly all th' abodes 

of air : 
And through its wavy film methinks I hear 
The rustle of the robes that angels wear. 

At times, across this coarser ear of sense 

There comes the rush of swift, etherial things : 

I catch the pressure, slight, of parted air,— 
I feel almost the touch of angel wings. 

Not far we wander from tli' eternal Halls ! 

Some erring echoes reach us haply thence : 
Some fragmentary, floating chords astray, 

Attain to earth from realms of innocence ! 

O thou, to life' s sad prison-cell so close. 
As oft to thrill a captive soul within. 

One sigh but breathe, one kiss aerial press 
Through azure bars on him behind them seen ! 



•jB Repains in the Minor. 



EVENING HUSH. 



OFTLY the shadowy eve 

Steals o'er the landscape of day ; 
Hesperus, first of the stars, 

Limpidly lances its ray. 
Laden with balm is the air. 

With rest and a calmness divine, — 
Would so celestial a calm. 

And such rest, were eternally mine ! 

Where are thy vales of repose, 

Land the most beautiful one % 
Land where to meet is to love, — 

Strangers in which there are none ! 
Loved ones are wandering there, 

Secure from the storms of the past : 
Life is so sorrowful here, — 

O how sweet to rejoin them at last ! 



Refrains in the Minor. 79 

Cease ! my disquieted song ; 

Sink every sigh to repose. 
Courage ! dispirited heart ; 

Rise o' er the world and its woes ! 
Life has its beautiful hours, 

Tliough transient their exquisite zest : 
Cull its few Paradise tlow'rs, 

And contentedly wait for the rest ! 




aW9^ 



8o Refrains in the Minor. 



MORN ON THE HILLS. 



HE maple-clad hills that swell clear in the 
dawn, 

Seem waking to life at the breath of the morn, — 
The zephyrs astir where the leaf-tops are seen, 
Are rippling an ocean of green ! 

But lo-! as I gaze, comes a cloud from the west, 
Whose shadow falls dark on that tremulous 

breast : 
Yet gently 'tis rocked ; while beneath it is heard, 

In wood haunts, the song of the bird. 

O heart I in that shadow, and tremulous sea. 

The morn has unfolded a lesson for thee : 

For oft while reposing 'neath sunniest skies, 

A cloud o'er thy rest may arise. 



Refrains in the Minor. 



8i 



But when from that cloud the dark shadow shall 
fall, 
O rock it to rest, as yon woodland its pall : 
And'neath the dark shadow, let, sweet as the bird, 
Thy low, quiet music be heard ! 




82 Refrains in the Minor. 



MEADOW STORY TO A FRIEND, 



^fj%NCE a nest of meadow larklings 
^; Lost their sheltering mother-wing : 
Waifs a new lark sweetly mothered, 

Cheered, and reared, and taught to sing. 

And the neighbor- birds that marked it. 
With the thought that birds may think, 

Questioned much this step-bird venture, 
And this doubtful mother-link. 

Yet, despite the chirping gossip 
Of the much that happen might, 

Full equipped and blithe, one morning, 
Soared the larks, and sped to light. 



Refrains hi the Minor. 83 



And when since I cross the meadow, 
View the nest, now empty, there, 

Human love-birds, newly mothered, 
Tenderly suggested are. 

You, as I, of new-found mothers 
Some may know than larks beside, 

One of whom, at least, the cavils 
Of the world has swept aside ! 




LYRICS OF THE GREAT STRUGGLE. 



Lyrics of the Great Striiggle. 87 



ANTHEM OF LIBERTY. 



1861. 

'^ NTHEM of liberty ! solemn and grand, 

- i ■ Wake in tliy loftiness, sweej) through the 

land ! 
Light in each breast anew patriot fires, 
Sing the old liag again, Hag of our sires. 

Hail ! to thee, banner ; thou scroll of the 

Great ! 
Lost shall be never a star, nor a state ! 

Spirit of Unity, potent, divine, 

Come in thy kindliness, all hearts entwine. 

Prove to our enemies ever a rock, 

And to each traitor scheme, ruinous shock ! 

Hail ! to thee, banner ; thou scroll of the 
Great ! 

Lost shall be never a star, nor a state ! 



88 Lyrics of the Great Struggle. 

Shades of our forefathers, pass through the land, 

Clothed in full majesty, terrible, grand ! 

Fright from their lurking place treason and 

wrong, 
Wake the old loyalty, earnest and strong. 

Hail ! to thee, banner ; thou scroll of the 

Great ! 
Lost shall be never a star, nor a state ! 

Come, kindly trinit}^, noblest and best. 
Faith, Hope, and Charity, rule in each breast : 
Faith in our fatherland, Hope in our Lord, 
Charity still to all, blindly who've erred ! 

God of onr fathers ! thon safeguard the best, 
Lead us to brotherhood, union, and rest ! 



Lyrics of (he Great Struggle. 



CHECKED. 



1862. 



'WENTY MILLIONS held at bay 
Why, Northmen, Avhy ? 
Rebels still maintain the day : 

Why, Northmen, why I 
With the stubborn, iron will. 
With the pluck, the dasli, the skill, 
With the blood of Bunker Hill,— 
Why, Xorthmen. wliy ? 

Unavenged that Sumter shot! 

Why, Statesmen, why? 
Shot the iirst the flag to blot : 

Why, Statesmen, why? 
Charleston left to scoff at ease ; 
Richmond, vaunting as it please ; 
Rebel taunts on ev'ry breeze,— 

Why, Statesmen, why ? 



go 



Lyrics of the Great Struggle. 

See our wounded eagle stoop ! 

Why, Chief tains, why? 
See our baffled banner droop ! 

Why, Chieftains, wdiy \ 
Scornful England mocks amain ; 
Courtly Paris shrugs disdain ; 
Cordial Russia glows with pain,— 

Why, Chieftains, why? 

By our past, so bright-renow^ned. 

On, Northmen, on! 
By our future, glory crowned, 

On, Northmen, on ! 
By the South, deceived, misled ; 
By the souls to azure sped ; 
By our hundred thousand dead !- 

On, Northmen, on! 



Lyrics of the Great Struggle. g i 



ACHIEVED. 




1865. 
^USH your rude discourse of Union, 
Cannon of the loyal North ! 
What you've proved with iron logic, 
Sealed of God will stand, henceforth ! 

Brothers ! furl the parent banner : 

Fold the stars secnrelj^ in : 
Not an orb of light is missing, 

Not a State has severed been ! 

Check the taunt ! too brave the vanquished 
In the Wrong, a shaft to launch : 

Peace, the dove, has gained her casement, 
Reached the ark with olive branch. 

O'er the strife let fall the curtain : 
O'er the dead, the wreath, the tear : 

O'er th' intent, the brother silence, — 
E'en of Wrong resj^ect the bier ! 



92 



Lyrics of the Great Struggle. 



BURIAL OF LINCOLN. 



1865. 
EGRETFUL bells are tolling, 
'^i With pausing stroke and slow ; 
Unwilling guns are booming, 

With spent and fitful throe : 
A silence strange and awful 

Has loyal lips possessed, — 
The North has lost a victor, 
The South, a friend the best ! 



And hearts unused to falter 

Betray a weakness new ; 
And manly tears are starting 

From eyes whose tears are few. 
Farewell ! O Chief, and Statesman, 

Thou rugged, kind, and brave : 
Whose hand to smite relented, 

Who e'en the foe would save ! 



Lyrics of the Great Struggle. 93 

Now open wide thy portals, 

Thou proud and x^rairied West ! 
With spring's befitting garlands 

Take Lincoln to thy breast. 
Chant ! birds, his Miserere ; 

Ye flowers, your censers wave ; 
And zephyrs, sigh your vespers. 

To soothe at eve his grave. 

When night brings sleep and silence, 

And heedful none but God, 
Arise ! ye spectre sentries, 

From cells beneath the sod : 
With ghostly mien and musket 

Patrol his shrouding stone. 
The Statesman dead, yet deathless. 

The Chief whose cause ye won ! 



EIGHTEEN-EIGHTY-ONE. 



Eightecn-Eighty-One. 97 



THE STATES AND THE STARS. 



\L'j)'ic on tliz inau^juratioii of Prendsat Garfield, Wti.^Miigton, 
March 4, ISSl.] 



.y 



Stately t'ward the empyrean, 

f Up the steep of freedom's sky, 
Mounts Cohimbia's constellation, 

Fuller still with stars as high ! 
Clouds perchance the while obscure it, 

Passing clouds, and fitful born 
Now of passion, now of error, — 
. Yet the glorious orbs press on ! 



Eightcen-Eighty-Onc. 

Thine the hand, thou strong Jehovah ! 

Firm to hold the i^lanet's course : 
Vain the willing arm of freedom, 

If it lack til' immorial force ! 
Grant this force to lis thy children, 

Else that dread their stars' eclipse. 
Heed the x)rayer, that warm and earnest 

Parts to-day a Xation's lips. 

As the cloud constrains the prairie 

Free to quaff the quick' ning rain, 
So let sliow'rs of vital cultui'e 

Urge the mind's inactive grain. 
And like banks that hedge the river 

Which between them freely flows. 
Grant that law thus guide a freedom. 

Which to law its safety owes. 



Eightcen-Eighty-One. 99 

Wake our spring' s exultant toilers ; 

Gild our summers wlieaten spires ; 
Mass our autumn' s golden plenty ; 

Mound our winter' s sparkling fires. 
O tliou Spirit I grand and silent, 

Light of nations, guide to good, 
Like a northern sky's Aurora, 

O'er our banner float, and brood ! 




too Eightee7i-Eighty-0ne. 



QUEEN VICTORIA. 



{Her exceptional offices of kindness to the dying Garfield, Jiis wife, 
and mother.'] 



^HOU, a Queen, hast freedom's pulses 
Warmly quickened t'ward tliy throne 
Thou, an Empress, mind hast bended, 
A Republic' s heart hast won ! 

Tender words of woman's kindness 
Through tlie depths of ocean sped, 

Words that thrilled a wife and mother, 
And that soothed a dying bed : 

Pain so true when all was over ; 

Flowers deposed upon his bier, — 
Ah ! what wrongs that roused our fathers, 

Thou hast sweetly righted here ! 

We, a race for freedom wilful, 
Once rebelled, nor curbed could be : 

We, a race by kindness conquered, 
Waft a Nation's thanks to thee ! 



MEDITATIVE AND DEVOTIONAL 
SONG. 



Meditative and Devotional Song. 103 



THE YEARLY MIRACLE. 




,AR lovelier than the bride at best attired, 
And sweeter than her breath's most choice 
perfume, 
And softer than her garments' wavy grace, 
That miracle of beanty, Sjjring, has come ! 

Her prelude is the trill of pebbly brooks, 
The lark' s sweet ecstacy, and zeplivr' s sigh : 

Her poem, the pathetic, tender green. 
That half inclines to tears, we know not why. 

The troubles of the mind molest no more ; 

We seem to gain o' er them a higher plane : 
The deeper discords of the heart dissolve, 

And naught but exquisite emotions reign. 



I04 Meditative and Devotional Song. 

O Thou wlio macrst, who truly art, the spring. 
This medicine for human ills is thine : 

We know the Artist kind who blends the dyes, 
Distils the scents, and chants these songs divine. 

Forgetful heart to seek the cure thou need'st, 
Thou friend dispirited, O why delay ? 

Entreat the springtime to forgive thy slight. 
And haste to woods so chiding thee to-day ! 




Meditative and Devotional Son' 



SORROW FLOWERS 

TO DISCONSOLATE FRIENDS. 



\'WrHten on ilic death of a studsiit of the Unlcersity of Michirjan. 
All', " Juanifa."] 



PI ARK fall thy sliadows, 

O tlion sad and solemn Lent ! 
Chill through the casement 

Comes the wind's lament. 
Sadder still the memories 

Tearfully that come and go, 
Of a voice and footstep, — 

Ah ! so silent now ! 



io6 Meditative and Devotional Song. 

Loved one and wand'rer, 

Who in yonder bine dost roam, 

Sorely we miss thee 
In onr garden home I ^ 

Drear thy embankments, 

O thon wintry Lake St. Clair ! 
Ah, thou dost picture 

Well our hearts' despair ! 
With thy summer waters 

Thou no more shall brightly lave 
Him who once dis^Dorted 
In thy shining wave. 
Loved one and wand'rer, 

Who in yonder blue dost roam. 
Sorely we'll miss thee 
In our lakeside home ! ^ 



Meditative and Devotional Song. 10? 

Hopes turned to ashes ; 

Clierislied dreams of life filing by ; 
Hearts wrung witli anguisli,— 

Wlio sliall tell us why ? 
Hath the Holy Father, 

Loving him far more than we, 
Spared him future sorrows 
We could not foresee ? 
Father ! we trust thee. 

Though with darkened hearts we cry : 
Hiply hareiffcsr 

Thou shalt tell us why ! 



1. Rural city-liomestead, Detroit. 

2. Summer home on Lake St. Clair. 



loS Mediiathie and Devotional Song. 



ANGELUS DOMINI. 




\0n bearing to her rest a young and lovely girl.] 

JH^HEK" toward the groves of slumber, 
O'er a path of tears we bore 
Her, the early faded ; just in 
Passing the Cathedral door, 
Suddenly from out the tower 
Chimed the Avon ted, noontide bell ; 
Chimed its old, sweet burthen well, 
Yet with meaning new that fell, — 
Angeliis Domini ! 



Meditative and Devotional Song. . log 

And when thus the Church that herakls 

Bkth, and life, and death of day, 
Wafts at morn, and noon, and twilight, 

Gabriel words o'er earth away ; 
Then for her, the early faded, 

In my memory chimes a bell. 

Low, and soft, and welcomed well ; 

Chimes with sweet, consoling swell, 
Angelus Domini ! 




Medifative and Devotional Som 



TWILIGHT STARS. 



lOISED in yon blue is a home, 
If" Reached by a stairway of stars, 
Whither the footstep of thought 

Silently mounting repairs. 

High o'er the mustering clouds, 
A shadow profanes not its air : 

Needless a sheltering roof, 
The snow, nor the tempest is there. 

Lit by the sun nor the moon, 
A lustre jDervades that abode 

Shed as from dewdrops, or gems, — 
'Tis the effulgence of God! 



Meditative and Devotional Song. 

Verdure and bloom without blight ; 

Home without death, or a care ; 
Friendships, and shining pursuits,— 

Who would not sigh to be there ! 

Loves that bring not a chagrin ; 

And pleasures that end not in rue ; 
Lives that cause never a tear, — 

Entwine in that home of the true. 

Ah! could we follow our thought, 
Be where it lures us, alway. 

Then the blest Future were noio ; 
Then the sweet Morrow, to-day ! 



Meditative and Devotional Son^. 



THE WAYFARER. 



f HERE'S a cold that cannot pierce us ; 
There's a froAvn each heart may brave ; 
There's a woe that cannot reach us, — 
They are thine, O i)lacid. grave ! 

There are friends that falter never ; 

There are ties ne'er rudely riven ; 
There are souls that never wrong us, — 

The}^ are thine alone, sweet Heaven ! 

Earthly slight is changed to kindness ; 

Earthly want to boundless store ; 
Earthly moans dissolve in music, — 

On a not far-distant shore ! 

Ne'er a travellers \vi^ confirmed it ; 

Yet ' tis writ in promise fair. 
Staff and scrip have long been ready, — 

I've the heart to journey there ! 



Meditative and Devotional Song. 113 



DOMINE! ASPERGES ME. 



^f 



O W before thine altar kneeling, 



"f' Not a tliouglit or fault concealing, 
Hear me cry with inmost feeling, 
Domlne! asperges me. 

Ah ! how much there needs confessing 
Since I last gaine;! peace and blessing. 
Yet with burthens sore oppressing. 

Still I plead, asperges me ! 

Oft I think, Canst thou forgive me. 
When, though pardoned, still I grieve thee ? 
.What if my fond heart deceive me % 
Dare I pray asperges me? 



I T4 Meditative and Devotional i>ong. 

Come I must, for tlioii dost bid me : 
Ne'er for coming hast thou chid me : 
Prom my burthen quickly rid me ; 
Dondiie ! asperges me. 

That my heavy heart grow lighter ; 
That my love for thee burn brighter ; 
That my soul than snow grow whiter ; 
Domine ! asperges me. 



Meditative and Devotional Song . 115 

KYRIE ELE'iSON. 

QhI^E like sheep have gone astray : 

4i Kyrie Eleison ! 

Each his own misguided way : 

Kyrie Eleison ! 
Wandering farther day by day : 

Kyrie Eleison ! 

She]3herd liind ! O lead ns back : 

Christe Eleison! 
Save us from our perilous track : 

Christe Eleison I 
Lest the wolves thy flock attack : 

Christe Eleison ! 

Ope for us again thy fold : 

Kyrie Eleison! 
Night approaches, skies are cold ; 

Kyrie Eleison ! 
Take us, love us as of old ; 

Kyrie Eleison ! 



1 16 M^ditaHve and Devotional Sons;: 



BEFORE THE CROSS. 



II ESU ! my jDrayer would tell thee all 
A grateful heart could say : 
But when I seek befitting speech, 
The words glide all away. 

I view iliy cross, and muse, and grieve, 
And brush from lids their dew : 

O let these mate love-tokens say 
What language fails to do ! 

As flowers waft in scents their i)raise, 

And well accepted know, 
My heart its silent incense sends, 

Content if thou art so. 

Ye choirs of loved ones, chanting noAv 

Your Glorias full and free, 
O fill the part I hope to take. 

And sing my love for me ! 



Meditative and Devotional Song. I17 



THE DESPONDEI^CY OF ST. PAUL. 

'' L&iit that by any means lohen I have preached to others, I myself 
become a caraway." 

" For the good that I would, I do not ; but the evil which I would 
not, that 1 do." 

■*• 

II H make me what I am not, 
^T^ The much, alas ! I claim not, 
I cannot what I would be. 
And sioh for all that should be. 



T'ward tlree, the Perfect, speeding. 
The goal seems still receding : 

*Yet striving, praying, j^earning. 
Though feeble gain discerning. 

By bonds V d sever gladly 
Tm hindered, ah ! how sadly : 

Delayed with faint relenting, 
With half sincere repenting. 

Yet sin shall cease, and sighing, 
And many a woe, with dying ; 

And Heaven reveal what could be, — 
If haply there I should be ! 



ri8 Meditative and Devotional Song. 

LENTEN REVERIE. 



^,^ia OURNFUL nio-ht is dark around me, 
C^^il) Hushed the world's conflicting din : 
All is still, and all is tranquil, — 
But this restless heart within. 

Late and lone I press my pillow, 
Watch the stars that float above, 

Think of One for me who sufi'ered, 
Sleep, nor rest, for grief and love. 

Cross and lance my thought portrays me, 

E'en the Calvary bird unveils. 
Bird Avhose fragile bill, 'tis whispered. 

Toiling crossed, to draw the nails !* 

Dim the stars in mist are dying. 
Midnight veils the world from sight ; 

Calvary's crest is dark declining, — 
Master ! take my heart's good night ! 



* C h'urch hrjcnd of the " cross-lill" bird. 



Meditative and Devotional Song. 119 



MEADOW HYMN. 



ll^NLY when soaring sings the lark, 
Struggling to fields of purer air : 
Silent her music when she sinks 
Back to a world less glad and fair. 

Only when soaring sings my heart, 
Fliitt'ring on tremulous wing to God 

Fainter the music as I fall. 

Hushed when I reach the lower sod. 

Lark of my heart ! this morn astir. 
Upward to God ! on eager wing : 

Rise with a burst of grateful song, 
Carol the best that love can sing ! 



OCT -4 1945 



